Brisson lone Democrat on House Appropriations subcommittee list

Democrat William Brisson of Bladen County has a leadership position in the GOP led General Assembly

RALEIGH, NC (WECT) – House Speaker Thom Tillis on Tuesday announced his subcommittee chairs for the House Appropriations Committee. The list includes just one Democrat, Rep. William Brisson of Bladen County, who will be one of three co-chairs for the subcommittee on Health & Human Services. Rep. Brisson did vote with the Republican majority several times in 2011-12 sessions to override vetoes by Governor Bev Perdue, and to pass controversial legislation.

"I am a people person, and I came here to represent all people," Rep. Brisson said when asked if the votes may have played a part in the appointment. "If it (a bill) is good for the people of eastern North Carolina, then I will support it no matter who introduced it. At the end of the day that's what it's all about."

A release from the Speaker's Office revealed these appointments:

The Appropriations Subcommittee on Education will be chaired by Reps. Hugh Blackwell (R-Burke), Craig Horn (R-Union), and Chuck McGrady (R-Henderson).

The Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government will be chaired by Reps. George Cleveland (R-Onslow) and Rayne Brown (R-Davidson).

The Appropriations Subcommittee on Health & Human Services will be chaired by Reps. Marilyn Avila (R-Wake), William Brisson (D-Bladen), and Mark Hollo (R-Alexander).

The Appropriations Subcommittee on Information Technology will be chaired by Rep. Jason Saine (R-Lincoln).

The Appropriations Subcommittee on Justice & Public Safety will be chaired by Reps. Leo Daughtry (R-Johnston), Jamie Boles (R-Moore), Pat Hurley (R-Randolph), and John Faircloth (R-Guilford).

The Appropriations Subcommittee on Natural & Economic Resources will be chaired by Reps. Roger West (R-Cherokee) and Pat McElraft (R-Carteret).

The Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation will be chaired by Reps. John Torbett (R-Gaston) and Phil Shepard (R-Onslow).

"The House Appropriations subcommittees do complex policy work for budget preparation and have significant influence over how the House sets spending priorities," Rep. Tillis said in a statement. "The leaders of these subcommittees have a responsibility to budget efficiently, and I am confident they will do so."

A spokesman for the Speaker's Office said more appointments are expected tomorrow and Thursday.

Candidates in most 2018 elections have until Noon on Wednesday to file.

A pair of incumbent District Attorneys and one incumbent Sheriff will be unopposed as they seek new terms in the 2018 elections. The filing deadline passed at Noon on Wednesday, bringing a flurry of new candidates into races for local and state elected offices. Incumbent Sheriff Ed McMahon of New Hanover County. along with District Attorneys Ben David (5th Judicial District) and Jon David (13th Judicial District) did not receive any challengers during the filing period.

A pair of incumbent District Attorneys and one incumbent Sheriff will be unopposed as they seek new terms in the 2018 elections. The filing deadline passed at Noon on Wednesday, bringing a flurry of new candidates into races for local and state elected offices. Incumbent Sheriff Ed McMahon of New Hanover County. along with District Attorneys Ben David (5th Judicial District) and Jon David (13th Judicial District) did not receive any challengers during the filing period.

The filing period is underway for candidates wanting to run in 2018 General Elections across North Carolina. Voters will be electing candidates in several offices, including county commissioners, school board members, district attorneys, sheriffs and members of the state house and senate. All legislative seats are up for election in 2018, along with two congressional seats.

The filing period is underway for candidates wanting to run in 2018 General Elections across North Carolina. Voters will be electing candidates in several offices, including county commissioners, school board members, district attorneys, sheriffs and members of the state house and senate. All legislative seats are up for election in 2018, along with two congressional seats.

Members of Congress send reactions to President Trump's State of the Union Address. (Source: Associated Press)

Lawmakers that represent southeastern North Carolina in Congress released statements following President Donald Trump’s first State of the Union Address on Tuesday night. Senators Thom Tillis and Richard Burr, along with Rep. David Rouzer (R-NC 7th District), had comments following the president's speech. .

Lawmakers that represent southeastern North Carolina in Congress released statements following President Donald Trump’s first State of the Union Address on Tuesday night. Senators Thom Tillis and Richard Burr, along with Rep. David Rouzer (R-NC 7th District), had comments following the president's speech. .

Joseph Cina, a former WPD officer and NHC Sheriff's Lieutenant, says he plans to run for Pender County Sheriff in 2018. (Source: Joseph Cina)

Joseph A. Cina, who has law enforcement experience with the Wilmington Police Department and the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office, said in a news release that he plans to run for Sheriff in Pender County in 2018, to succeed the retiring Sheriff Carson Smith.

Joseph A. Cina, who has law enforcement experience with the Wilmington Police Department and the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office, said in a news release that he plans to run for Sheriff in Pender County in 2018, to succeed the retiring Sheriff Carson Smith.